Held annually in July, the Knysna Oyster Festival is a seaside extravaganza of note, with festivities for the kiddies, outdoor action such as the Knysna cycle tour, Pick ‘n Pay women’s walk, and the legendary forest marathon, coupled with fresh seafood dishes and stays near the coast.
We were lucky enough to attend some active and foodie events at this successful festival; here are our recommendations for future festival goers!
First stop:
Before you visit your accommodation, unless you’ve booked a stay just outside of Knysna, a trip to the local tourism office should be your first port of call. You can get a festival brochure, detailing the list of all the festive fun that’s available. That way you can safely head to your accommodation, unpack, and browse the brochure as you enjoy a well-deserved beverage after your drive, before you begin exploring.
Stay at: Brenton Haven
The call of the gulls, fresh sea air, beautiful views and the top-notch Butterfly Blu restaurant makes Brenton Haven, set in Brenton-on-Sea, a natural choice for weary travellers seeking home comforts.
Ideal for overnighters, as well as those after a long-term stay, you’ll have all you need with the convenience of Indigo deli (that has divine freshly baked items), the on-site restaurant open from 8am – late, the on-site gym and swimming pool, and of course the well-laid out, and well-stocked units.
They also have an enviable spot at the very end of the Brenton-on-Sea road, which comes with awe-inspiring sea views and access to the beach and tidal pools.
If they’re fully booked, there are also plenty of other options in and around Knysna for groups and families, such as Cabin 16 at Phantom River View (found along Phantom Pass), Leisure Isle Lodge, and Belvidere Manor.
Dining Options
Leeuwenbosch Dairy Farm Stall, Rheenendal Road
A personal favourite of mine is found just outside of Knysna on the Rheenendal road. The view is lovely, the outdoor playpen for children comes with a view of farm animals, and the full cream, full fat milks, yoghurts and cheeses available are ones I stock up on whenever I’m in the area. They also have the cutest collection of ceramic cows for sale!
Caffé Mario, Knysna Waterfront
If you’ll be observing the Harbour 2 Heads challenge (involving intrepid kayakers, who look like a cloud of beautiful aquatic butterflies as their paddles rise and fall), a coffee and breakfast at Caffé Mario is in order. The delightful Italian atmosphere and cosy lighting is a hit for all ages. They’re well located to browse local shops of interest such as Metallic Mermaid, Crystal Cave and Colegate Metal Art.
34°South Oyster Stand, Knysna Waterfront
The free-standing Oyster bar found just before you get to the ocean view of the Knysna Waterfront is perfect for first time oyster tasters as you can buy oysters one at a time – to decide if you like them before purchasing several in one go.
Quay Four Tavern, Thesen Island
Arriving on Friday meant that we were starving come lunch time, so a trip to a picturesque restaurant was our first port of call. After a browse through the festival brochure for a place near the water, Quay Four seemed to be the obvious first choice. Glass heaters, blankets, warming red wine, and hot mussels made this a memorable stop with a lovely view of the Knysna heads.
Turbine Hotel, Thesen Island
With a prime position held at the Thesen Island waterfront, friendly service from the bar tenders, and divine food served, this hotel is a winner when it comes to meal creations you’ll remember. They held a Mexican Fiesta evening with food and tequila pairings, which artfully captured the spicy and flirtatious side of Mexican cuisines. The live band, warm atmosphere, decadent selection of meals and drinks cement their position as a top spot for romance and fun!
Nautical South, Brenton-on-Sea
If you’re staying near Brenton-on-Sea, then this restaurant is a lovely option to try. The outdoor deck, crackling fire at night, live entertainment, and hearty soups, steaks, and pastas, make them a great family dining option, complete with a nautical theme.
Don’t miss out on trying fresh oysters from any of the Tabasco Oyster Festival hotspots (there were 19 this year alone!) We’ve also previously reviewed some great restaurants in Knysna such as JJ’s Restaurant, Knysna Hollow Restaurant, Firefly Eating House, Tapas & Oysters, and Sirocco.
Knysna Oyster Festival Adventures
The Knysna Oyster Festival isn’t only perfect for families after a leisurely time, as there are so many outdoor adventures to be had for the bold! Whether you’re a fan of cycling, kayaking, running a marathon, doing a triathlone, or are just hoping to put your months of training to good use, there are ample opportunities to test your endurance levels.
Festival Fun: On the grounds
The festival grounds are a hub of activity, with tents set up for registration, vendors, food makers, and children’s entertainment.
While here, ensure you:
Pick up a souvenir from the Knysna Local Living Collective Craft Market. This was quite honestly one of my favourite stalls in the festival as there was just so much local talent on display! From stuffed toys and cosy knit hats, to beautiful paintings, woodwork, glass-blown jewellery, pot plants and more, there’s something for every age group to enjoy.
The variety of festival foods is a treat to the senses. Grab a quick and easy meal such as bratwursts from Wurst Express, or head to the seated restaurant area and have a sit-down meal with what you’ve grabbed from the stands, such as sushi, burgers, Jamaican coffee, oysters, Van Loveren wine, or even freshly squeezed lemonade!
Try samples of energy drinks from various vendors if you’re feeling a bit sleepy – they’re available in all colours and concoctions – from sugar and caffeine free ones, to caffeinated fizzing ones – they also make a great gift for the marathon runner or cyclist in your group (or to the travel-weary mum!). Also, mohair socks, cycling suits, back massager’s, compression sportswear, and more is available for sale – and a lot of the items are decently discounted.
Down time
As wonderful as the festival is, it’s just as nice to escape the crowds and enjoy some fresh Knysna air and the beauty of the surroundings.
Take a drive to Margaret’s Viewpoint (found along the Brenton-on-Sea side of Knysna). The grassy stretch is just off the side of the road, and affords beautiful views of the lagoon – especially in the mornings when the cloak of mist lifts away. It’s also beautiful at night – especially during a full moon when the lights catch the water and the clouds take on the city’s warm, orange tint.
Head to the northern shores of Leisure Isle and take a walk in the Steenbok Nature Reserve – which also includes wheelchair-friendly pathways. The various paths offer an easy circuit around the lagoon, along with beautiful flora, birdlife such as ducks, and is a popular spot with families and dog walkers, with superb stops along the way for picnics. Once you’re done with your walk, head to Kings Way, to either the Leisure Isle Gallery or the Leisure Isle Coffee Shop for a quiet brunch.
Go on a whale-watching boat tour with Springtide Charters or Ocean Odyssey – also, please do check out the Ocean Odyssey Twitter profile, as they tweet some beautiful photographs of whales breaching and dolphins playing during their tours!
What do you love most about the Knysna Oyster Festival?
